Potential Risks and Complications

	We feel that initiating nutrition support through a nasogastric tube is the best 
route at this time. We do realize that the patient has been stubborn and confused as a 
result of the Alzheimer's and clinical dehydration. Because of these facts, the patient 
should be monitored to ensure that she does not attempt to remove the nasogastric tube. 
There have been problems with wearing her dentures and refusing to eat, so we think that 
another mode of support may be necessary if the patient does not tolerate the nasogastric 
tube. Although the patient is receiving hydration, it will be very important to contemplate 
her nutrition status after she leaves the hospital. The potential for this patient becoming 
clinically dehydrated again is possible and should be addressed with the patient's 
caregivers.